Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni has been diligently preparing for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, showcasing his exceptional batting skills in a recent practice session. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni faced the CSK bowlers with unwavering determination.In a widely shared video, Dhoni effortlessly dispatched boundaries, including his signature helicopter shot off Deepak Chahar's delivery. Chahar's overpitched ball was met with Dhoni's precise footwork and timing, sending the ball soaring over the midwicket boundary.CSK batting coach Michael Hussey has heaped praise on Dhoni's preparation, comparing him to the ageless Benjamin Button. "He's preparing really well. His knee seems good at this stage. And he's batting extremely well at the moment. I must admit he's like Benjamin Button! He keeps getting better," Hussey remarked.However, Hussey acknowledged that Dhoni's age may affect his running between the wickets. "He's not as young as he used to be. So, the scampering between the wickets is going to be more difficult for him. But at the back end of the innings, where there's not as much sprinting, he can still hit the ball very cleanly," Hussey added.Despite facing knee issues throughout the previous season, Dhoni led CSK to their fifth IPL title. After the IPL 2023 final, he underwent successful knee surgery.The CSK squad for IPL 2024 includes:* MS Dhoni (c)* Moeen Ali* Deepak Chahar* Tushar Deshpande* Shivam Dube* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Rajvardhan Hangargekar* Ravindra Jadeja* Ajay Mandal* Mukesh Choudhary* Ajinkya Rahane* Shaik Rasheed* Mitchell Santner* Simarjeet Singh* Nishant Sindhu* Prashant Solanki* Maheesh Theekshana* Rachin Ravindra* Shardul Thakur* Daryl Mitchell* Sameer Rizvi* Mustafizur Rahman* Avanish Rao Aravelly

The Mumbai Indians (MI) are set to embark on a new era in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with Hardik Pandya taking over the captaincy reins from Rohit Sharma. This change has sparked much discussion among fans and experts alike.Pandya, who previously led the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, returns to MI after a brief stint with the Titans. His appointment as captain is seen as a bold move by the franchise, which has been struggling for consistency in recent seasons.Former MI wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has shed light on the leadership qualities of Rohit Sharma, who guided the team to five IPL titles. Patel revealed that Sharma's unwavering belief in his players played a crucial role in the development of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya."Rohit is always with the players," Patel said. "Bumrah joined MI in 2014, but his first season in 2015 was not great. He was almost released mid-season, but Rohit felt he had potential and kept him. From 2016 onwards, Bumrah's performance reached the next level."Patel also highlighted Sharma's support for Pandya during a difficult season in 2016. "When Hardik joined in 2015, he became quite the rage, but in 2016 he had a bad season," Patel said. "But Rohit did not let him go. That's why these guys went on to become the players that they did."Pandya, who has expressed his excitement about rejoining MI, has already begun preparations for the upcoming season. He has been seen training with the team and interacting with his former teammates, including bowling coach Lasith Malinga."So many emotions, so many memories," Pandya said on Instagram. "Excited for what's ahead with this wonderful team. Let's get down to business."The MI camp is buzzing with anticipation as the team looks to regain its former glory under Pandya's leadership. With a talented squad featuring the likes of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jofra Archer, MI will be hoping to make a strong impact in IPL 2024.

Rishabh Pant's Resurgence Bolsters Delhi Capitals' IPL HopesPravin Amre, the assistant coach of Delhi Capitals (DC), has expressed his delight at Rishabh Pant's impressive return to form during the team's pre-season camp. Pant, who missed the previous 14 months due to a severe car accident, has showcased his vintage batting prowess, leaving the coaching staff optimistic about his impact in the upcoming IPL season."It was a joy to watch him bat," Amre said. "His bat swing was as fluid as ever, despite the long layoff. It's a testament to his dedication and hard work."Pant's return is a major boost for DC, who endured a disappointing campaign last season under David Warner's leadership. The team finished ninth in the standings, failing to qualify for the playoffs.With Pant back in the fold, DC is aiming for a strong start to the tournament. The team's coaching staff, led by Amre, believes that the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Vizag, where DC will play their first two home matches, will provide a high-scoring environment."Vizag has always been a ground where runs flow freely," Amre said. "We're excited to see what it has to offer."DC's focus is on providing the best possible conditions for their players to excel. The team has been engaged in practice matches and collective sessions to fine-tune their preparations for the IPL.DC will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23. Pant's return adds a layer of anticipation and excitement to the tournament, as fans eagerly await his return to the field.

Star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 25-year-old's arrival comes amidst a tumultuous period in his career, marked by controversies and setbacks.Kishan's absence from the Indian team has been a subject of speculation. India head coach Rahul Dravid stated that Kishan had not made himself available for selection and needed to play domestic games to qualify. However, Kishan opted to train with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya in Baroda instead of representing Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.Consequently, the BCCI terminated Kishan's central contract last month. Despite these setbacks, Kishan has now joined the MI camp, where he was welcomed with a humorous video by the franchise.MI will open their IPL campaign on March 24 against Gujarat Titans, a team led by Hardik Pandya, who left MI to join GT in 2022. Pandya's return to MI as captain will be a significant moment for the franchise.Kishan's inclusion in the MI squad adds depth to their batting lineup, which also includes Rohit Sharma, Tim David, Suryakumar Yadav, and N. Tilak Varma. The team boasts a strong all-rounder contingent led by Pandya, Romario Shepherd, and Shams Mulani.In the bowling department, MI has retained the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff, and Kumar Kartikeya. The addition of Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara from Sri Lanka further strengthens their bowling attack.With a balanced squad and a new captain at the helm, MI will be aiming to reclaim the IPL title they last won in 2020. Kishan's return to the fold will provide a much-needed boost to their aspirations.

Yuvraj Singh Weighs In on Mumbai Indians' Captaincy Change: Rohit Sharma Deserved Another YearLegendary cricketer Yuvraj Singh has expressed his opinion on the Mumbai Indians' (MI) decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain for the IPL 2024 season. Singh believes that Rohit should have been given another year at the helm, citing his impressive track record as captain.Speaking on Star Sports, Yuvraj emphasized the significance of Rohit's leadership credentials. Under his captaincy, MI has won five IPL titles, making him one of the most successful captains in the tournament's history. While acknowledging the strategic move of bringing in Hardik Pandya as a leader, Yuvraj suggested that Rohit could have continued as captain for another season, with Pandya serving as his deputy."Rohit Sharma is a 5-time IPL winner as a captain. Removing him is a big decision. I would have gotten someone in, like they brought Hardik (Pandya), but I still would have given Rohit one more season and let Hardik be the vice captain and see how the whole franchise works," said Yuvraj.Yuvraj acknowledged the need for franchises to consider the future, but stressed the value Rohit brings to the team, both as a leader and a player for India. He highlighted the challenge of managing a powerhouse franchise like MI, where expectations are always sky-high."I understand from the franchise's point of view, they have to see the future of the franchise. But then again, Rohit is captaining India and still playing well, so it's a big decision," added Yuvraj.While acknowledging Hardik Pandya's talent, Yuvraj cautioned that leading a team like MI would pose different challenges compared to his previous stint with Gujarat Titans. He emphasized the weight of expectations that come with leading a team of MI's stature, given their illustrious history in the IPL."In terms of talent, yes, he has great talent. Being captain of Gujarat will be different from being captain of Mumbai. Expectations are a lot. Mumbai Indians have been a big side," Yuvraj remarked.Yuvraj's comments highlight the importance of experienced leadership in a successful IPL franchise. While Hardik Pandya is a talented player, it remains to be seen whether he can replicate the success Rohit Sharma has achieved as captain of the Mumbai Indians.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, are determined to make a strong comeback in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. After a disappointing performance last year, the team has made significant acquisitions at the mini-auction, including the high-profile signing of Mitchell Starc.KKR's batting lineup boasts a formidable array of power hitters, including Phil Salt, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, and Sunil Narine. The team's spin attack is equally impressive, with Varun Chakravarthy and Mujeeb Ur Rahman providing a potent combination.However, KKR's pace bowling remains a concern. Despite the addition of Mitchell Starc, the team lacks experienced pacers who can consistently deliver in the death overs. The overreliance on Starc could prove to be a weakness if he fails to perform.The return of Gautam Gambhir as mentor and the availability of Shreyas Iyer after his injury layoff are major positives for KKR. Gambhir's leadership and Iyer's captaincy skills will be crucial for the team's success.KKR's finishers, such as Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, and Andre Russell, have the potential to be game-changers. However, Russell's recent form has been inconsistent, and Narine's batting has also been underwhelming. The team will need these players to perform at their best to achieve success.

Shreyas Iyer's Back Injury Flares Up, Threatening IPL ParticipationMumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer's worst fears have materialized as his back injury has resurfaced during the Ranji Trophy final. The recurring injury, which required surgery last year, now casts doubt on his participation in the initial stage of IPL 2024, where he captains the Kolkata Knight Riders.During his 95-run knock in the second innings at the Wankhede Stadium, Iyer experienced back spasms and sought treatment from the Mumbai physio twice. On Day Four of the final, he was unable to take the field due to the pain.Sources close to the situation have revealed that Iyer underwent a scan of his back at a hospital. The results indicate that the same back injury has aggravated, making it unlikely that he will play on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final."It's not looking good. It's the same back injury which has got aggravated. It's unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. He is in danger of missing the initial matches of the IPL," a source told TOI.Iyer had previously missed two Ranji Trophy matches this season due to back pain. During the recent Test series against England, he informed the Indian team management about the recurring injury. However, after being cleared by the National Cricket Academy's medical team, the BCCI denied him a central contract due to his absence from Ranji Trophy matches.The IPL is set to commence on March 22, with KKR playing their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata on March 23. Iyer's injury is a major concern for KKR, who will be without their captain for the crucial initial matches of the tournament.

England batter Harry Brook has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to be with his family during their time of grief following the recent passing of his grandmother.Brook, who was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crore (USD 482,000) at the auction in December, expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Capitals. He emphasized that prioritizing his mental well-being and that of his family is paramount.The 25-year-old had previously withdrawn from England's recent five-Test series in India due to his grandmother's illness. He stated that he made the decision to leave the tour the night before the team's departure to India after being informed of her condition.Brook's absence leaves the Capitals with an overseas roster comprising David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Tristan Stubbs, Shai Hope, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Jhye Richardson. The team will be led by Rishabh Pant, who has been cleared to play as a wicketkeeper-batter after recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.Brook's decision highlights the importance of mental health and family support in the demanding world of professional sports. His statement serves as a reminder that personal well-being should always be prioritized, even when it means making difficult choices.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is eagerly anticipated, and all eyes are once again on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni. Speculations about his future in the tournament have subsided, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of 'Thala' for the five-time champions.A recent social media post by CSK featuring Dhoni sporting a red bandana and long hair has sparked excitement among fans. Australia and Delhi Capitals batter David Warner couldn't resist commenting, "Loving the new head band @Mahi."Meanwhile, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has addressed the question of Dhoni's successor as captain. He acknowledged that internal discussions have taken place but emphasized that the decision will be left to the coach and captain."Mr. Srinivasan has made it very clear. Let's not talk about captain and vice-captain appointments. Let's leave it to the coach and the captain to decide. Let them decide and convey the information to me, and then I will convey it to you all," Viswanathan said.CSK's previous attempt to hand over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja proved unsuccessful, leading to a mid-season reversal. The franchise is keen to avoid such hasty decisions in the future."See, there have been internal talks. But, Mr. Srinivasan has made it very clear. Let's not talk about captain and vice-captain appointments. Let's leave it to the coach and the captain to decide. Let them decide and convey the information to me, and then I will convey it to you all. He has said that 'the captain and the coach will decide and give us a directive, till then let's all keep quiet'," Viswanathan added.